With public transport strikes popping up all over the place, we’re after a bit of good news. Now, we have it, because Manchester KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited services will operate this weekend and New Year’s Eve after strikes by tram drivers have been called off.
The workers, members of Unite, have accepted a new deal that will see their employer “fix longstanding problems with fatigue and scheduling issues”.
Why were tram drivers striking?
According to the Unite union, rotas meant drivers at Metrolink were working as many as six days in a row without proper rest breaks, leading to safety concerns around fatigue, with drivers concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted.
What does the new deal include?
Workers have now accepted new proposals by Metrolink that will see rota changes including a reduction in driving time without a break from five and a half to five hours, the removal of six day working and the introduction of an additional two rest days. All drivers will also benefit from having their duty length reduced from nine and a half to nine hours.
When will the changes be brought in?
Metrolink has committed to fully implementing these changes by January 2027 and the improvements to rotas will bring them more in line with workers elsewhere in the country.
Metrolink driver pay rise
Despite the dispute not being around pay, Metrolink will be raising driver starting salaries from £26,420 to £33,026 from 1 January, then increasing to £33,687 in a bid to attract new staff. Salaries have also gone up across the board for drivers with longer service, which will address problems of retention – for example drivers with two years’ service will get £34,500 effective from 1 January (currently £31,863).
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent win for our members at Metrolink, who stood together in their concerns over fatigue until their employer listened and came up with meaningful changes.
“Their action has also led to vastly improved pay for many workers. This result shows the power of a union and workers at Metrolink should be very proud of their achievement.”
Danny Vaughan, chief network officer at TfGM, said: “We’ve worked very hard to understand and respond to the concerns among drivers and are pleased the offer put forward has been accepted.
“That means there will be no strikes and trams will run as normal, helping people get where they need to on the last weekend before Christmas.”
Bus strikes this weekend will still go ahead
Strike action by more than 200 workers on Transport for Greater Manchester bus services, who work in roles including ticketing and passenger assistance on Friday (19) and Saturday (20) is still due to go ahead.
